The functional biology and trophic role of krill ( Thysanoessa raschii ) in a Greenlandic fjord

• Published in: Marine Biology
• Main Authors: Agersted, Mette Dalgaard, Nielsen, Torkel Gissel, Munk, Peter, Vismann, B., Arendt, K.E.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 2011
• Subjects: EUPHAUSIA-SUPERBA DANA; MARGINAL ICE-ZONE; COPEPOD ACARTIA-TONSA; ANTARCTIC KRILL; FEEDING-BEHAVIOR; BODY-SIZE; MEGANYCTIPHANES-NORVEGICA; VERTICAL-DISTRIBUTION; COASTAL WATERS; FECAL MATERIAL; Antarctic; Arctic; Greenland; Antarc*; Antarctic Krill; Euphausia superba; greenlandic; Meganyctiphanes norvegica; Thysanoessa raschii; Zooplankton
• Online Access: https://curis.ku.dk/portal/da/publications/the-functional-biology-and-trophic-role-of-krill-thysanoessa-raschii-in-a-greenlandic-fjord(6c447af0-3a0d-47cc-b26e-ceef45f705c4).html; https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-011-1657-z

Despite being a key zooplankton group, knowledge on krill biology from the Arctic is inadequate. The present study examine the functional biology and evaluate the trophic role of krill in the GodthAyenbsfjord (64 degrees N, 51 degrees W) SW Greenland, through a combination of fieldwork and laboratory experiments. Krill biomass was highest in the middle fjord and inner fjord, whereas no krill was found offshore. The dominating species Thysanoessa raschii revealed a type III functional response when fed with the diatom Thalassiosira weissflogii. At food saturation, T. raschii exhibited a daily ration of 1% body C d(-1). Furthermore, T. raschii was capable of exploiting plankton cells from 5 to 400 mu m, covering several trophic levels of the pelagic food web. The calculated grazing impact by T. raschii on the fjord plankton community was negligible. However, the schooling and migratory behaviour of krill will concentrate and elevate the grazing in specific areas of the euphotic zone